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As another election nears, I am reminded of the fact that I don't know what I am. Republican or Democrat. Anytime I ask an adult for a good way to choose, they say that it's very complicated and would take too long to explain. Well then when do I decide. I was wondering if anyone who feels strongly about Bush and the Republicans or Kerry and the Democrats could give me some helpful feedback on choosing a candidate and why.

By Icarus (Icarus) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:12 am: Edit

My advice - don't try to figure out "which party you are". Vote for the candidate whose platform and opinions you most agree with. And for the love of all things holy, don't vote straight ticket. That is the worst possible thing one could do to the democratic system. If you don't know enough about a position or candidate, don't vote for a particular position or bill or whatever.
Personally, I support Bush in many matters of opinion, especially his mostly pro-life stance, but I do think that he has managed to screw some things up (but what politician doesn't lol). Kerry seems to have decent ideas on somethings, and not others (again, I cite the pro-choice standpoint, just as a reference - I certainly don't let one topic decide my vote). Once again, review both Kerry and Bush's positions on topics of importance to you, and let that sway your opinion. Bush has four years that you can look at and use as a basis for future performance - you don't have that so much with Kerry.

By Ishouldflee (Ishouldflee) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:13 am: Edit

see Farenheit 9/11

By Zantedeschia (Zantedeschia) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:22 am: Edit

Democrat~
I'm not that politically aware, but the way I see it is...if you look at it from a very extreme point of view, the Republicans are going towards fascism and the Democrats towards Socialism. Obviously they're never going to get there, but it kinda delineates the differences.

By Tlaktan (Tlaktan) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:24 am: Edit

Not quite.

American politics lie really in the centre of the political scale in general. You will never see a hardcore left-wing person ever take office, nor will you see a hardcore right-wing person ever take office. Bush and Kerry both really lay in the middle, despite what you may think. Kerry leans a little (lets say on a scale from 1-10, 1 being liberal, 10 being conservative, 4.5) on the left, and Bush leans a little on the right (5.5, maybe 6).. Pat Buchanan would qualify as a 7 or an 8, etc., So really, American politics don't follow in line with "left and right wing." All American politics are moderate..

By Icarus (Icarus) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:36 am: Edit

see Farenheit 9/11

hahahaha sure, if you want to see one of the most ridiculously biased movies ever created (which was only created as a political statement; documentary my ---).

By Jlq3d3 (Jlq3d3) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 12:50 am: Edit

dont see the 9/11 movie to gain any reasonable opinion. Not only is it biased, it lacks factual substance that would help you decide which party you allign your values with overall. It has many big lies, and is extremely tricky and deceptive as well.

Tlacton, I agree, but I dont think bucanon is very conservative, he is just different. Extremely conservative would be a libertarian. But I agree, and that is why the 2 party system we have is best. It forces us to gather in one of 2 camps, thus forcing us to compromise. Unlike other countries, it is harder for exteremist politicians to arise because we dont have any extreme parties that are established.

By Purgeofdoors (Purgeofdoors) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 01:20 am: Edit

Icarus's first point was good: You don't need to be either Democrat or Republican. So much (negative) characterisation is done in this polarized nation today based on whether you have a little R or D by your name. It's silly; quantifiable political preference is one of the most unimportant things about a person, yet we treat it as a measure of the intelligence/sanity/whatever of another sovereign human being.

Read about the candidates platforms and pick the one you most agree with. Or pick the one you think will help the country the most. Ignore (or take with a grain of salt) the political affiliation. If you use a strategy like that, you will have a far healthier and more intelligent view of politics than 99% of Americans.

By Blankspace (Blankspace) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 01:50 am: Edit

When you say look at their platforms, where do I look? If you don't know, but you know about their platforms, I was wondering where each man stands on a few topics. Such as: education, minimum wage, gay marriage, and foreign affairs. (I know that's broad, but any info would be great)

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 02:17 am: Edit

Always vote on the issues not the letter at the end of their name. (Wait for the debates, conventions, etc. to get a better idea where they stand.)

By Blankspace (Blankspace) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 08:40 pm: Edit

anyone else??

By Jlq3d3 (Jlq3d3) on Wednesday, July 07, 2004 - 10:29 pm: Edit

It is hard to explain well on a message board. You'd have to read and watch the news and read up on it. In general, not always, a republican is for more conservative use of govt, while a democrat is for liberal use of govt. You can im at JLQ3D3 if you want and ill answer more questions. I am a conservative myself but will give you a truthful and unbiased explaination.

By Idiias (Idiias) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 03:48 am: Edit

just tell me your age, race, location, sex, occupation, and education...and I'll tell you if you're supppose to be democrat or republican....i know it sounds like stereotyping, but we learned it in government class!

By Dentist86 (Dentist86) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 05:46 am: Edit

I am a HARDCORE DEMOCRAT.

and Idiias knows it..LOL

By Jlq3d3 (Jlq3d3) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 01:43 pm: Edit

idiias, that doesnt work.

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 02:40 pm: Edit

What I find ironic is the idea that the definition for conservative was less government. Yet, this conservative is spending quite a bit of money on this war thing that you may of heard of. It will eventually have to be paid for. I guess it is one of the reasons why I don't understand how a true conservative can support Bush completely; he seems to be in a class of his own.

By Lisasimpson (Lisasimpson) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 03:14 pm: Edit

i'm a socialist - democrat if those are the only two options

By 2bad4u (2bad4u) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 04:00 pm: Edit

the whole idea of trying to figure out what party you are ruined our democracy

By Lisasimpson (Lisasimpson) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 10:37 pm: Edit

hows that 2bad4u?

By Goodchocolate (Goodchocolate) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 10:50 pm: Edit

I used to identify with the Republican party, but now I see it's more like a religion than a political affiliation. I'm on the far, FAR right economically, and socially, I'm somewhere between conservative and libertarian. So I guess I'm an independent...ugh.

If you're trying to fit into a political party, here's all you need to know about what each party says:

Libertarians - Go away, leave us alone, and repeal those silly taxes
Republicans - That's immoral; make it illegal! (And while you're at it, cut taxes.)
Democrats - That's sexist, racist, and fascist; don't just illegalize it, but also increase taxes and give the poor victims money for the injustices they've endured!

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 11:01 pm: Edit

I'll try and answer it for 2bad4u:
People are now just voting along with whatever their party believes instead of actually making an independent decision of the issues. People vote according to the letter in parantheses and not who is the better candidate. There needs to be more fluidity between the parties and more independent thought before there is a decrease in partisanship.

By Goodchocolate (Goodchocolate) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 11:13 pm: Edit

Craig, why would anybody support a more qualified candidate if they disagreed with his views?

That's so stupid -- if he's so qualified, then he will probably make a lot of progress spreading views you hate, and make you more frustrated.

If you're a Democrat, always vote Democrat, and if you're a Republican, always vote Republican. Support people who agree with you, not people who disagree with you!

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Thursday, July 08, 2004 - 11:59 pm: Edit

I did not make myself clear I guess -- I mean that people stop thinking once they choose a party. They accept the views of that party without thought from there on out. So there might be a candidate that actually represents your interests better but because you have aligned yourself with a party you will choose someone else.

My other thought is that thinking does not go in only two directions. Many people have a opinions that are aligned with the Democrats and others that are aligned with the Republicans. So to say that you should only vote one way all the time is the exact problem there is in America. You should weigh the issues themselves and make a decision based on those.

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 12:13 am: Edit

When I said "better" I meant better for the voter. I think a great example is that the lower class of society would be better off with more liberal leaders. They are more active in social reforms that would be beneficial to the lower economic levels -- I think we can agree with that. Despite that, many people in the lower class vote conservative, which I think conflict with their interests, because of a trivial association with another party.

By Craigk10 (Craigk10) on Friday, July 09, 2004 - 01:27 am: Edit

That's a more controversial answer then I wanted to give but you get my drift.